PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
Iraqi Bitumen
Paving-grade, viscosity-grade and oxidised bitumen from Iraqi refineries, sourced to your specification for road, airport and waterproofing projects.
- Grades
- 40/50 · 60/70 · 85/100
VG-30 · VG-40 · Oxidised - Packing
- Drums · Bags
Jumbo bags · Bulk - Terms
- Sea: FOB · CFR · CIF
Road: FCA · CPT · DAP
OVERVIEW
Bitumen from Iraqi Refineries
Bitumen is the heavy, black binder left after crude oil is distilled under vacuum. It holds aggregate together in asphalt roads and gives roofing and waterproofing materials their water resistance. Each grade is defined by its hardness and how it behaves with temperature, measured by penetration, softening point and viscosity.
Iraq processes heavy, high-sulfur crude oils that are well suited to bitumen production, and paving and oxidised grades are produced by refineries and qualified producers across the country.
PETROXIUM works with these suppliers to match the grade, quantity, packing and delivery terms to each enquiry, with availability and loading arrangements confirmed case by case.
SPECIFICATIONS
Grades and Typical Values
Choose a grade to see its typical specification. Values are confirmed for each cargo by a certificate of analysis.
Penetration grade 60/70 · Reference: ASTM D946
| Property | Test method | Unit | Typical value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penetration at 25 °C, 100 g, 5 s | ASTM D5 | 0.1 mm | 60 – 70 0.1 mm |
| Softening point (ring and ball) | ASTM D36 | °C | 49 – 56 °C |
| Ductility at 25 °C | ASTM D113 | cm | ≥ 100 cm |
| Flash point (Cleveland open cup) | ASTM D92 | °C | ≥ 232 °C |
| Solubility in trichloroethylene | ASTM D2042 | % wt | ≥ 99.0 % wt |
| Specific gravity at 25 °C | ASTM D70 | – | 1.01 – 1.06 |
| After thin-film oven test (TFOT) | |||
| Loss on heating | ASTM D1754 | % wt | ≤ 0.8 % wt |
| Retained penetration | ASTM D5 | % of original | ≥ 52 % of original |
| Ductility at 25 °C | ASTM D113 | cm | ≥ 50 cm |
Penetration grade 40/50 · Reference: ASTM D946
| Property | Test method | Unit | Typical value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penetration at 25 °C, 100 g, 5 s | ASTM D5 | 0.1 mm | 40 – 50 0.1 mm |
| Softening point (ring and ball) | ASTM D36 | °C | 50 – 58 °C |
| Ductility at 25 °C | ASTM D113 | cm | ≥ 100 cm |
| Flash point (Cleveland open cup) | ASTM D92 | °C | ≥ 232 °C |
| Solubility in trichloroethylene | ASTM D2042 | % wt | ≥ 99.0 % wt |
| Specific gravity at 25 °C | ASTM D70 | – | 1.01 – 1.06 |
| After thin-film oven test (TFOT) | |||
| Loss on heating | ASTM D1754 | % wt | ≤ 0.8 % wt |
| Retained penetration | ASTM D5 | % of original | ≥ 55 % of original |
Penetration grade 85/100 · Reference: ASTM D946
| Property | Test method | Unit | Typical value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penetration at 25 °C, 100 g, 5 s | ASTM D5 | 0.1 mm | 85 – 100 0.1 mm |
| Softening point (ring and ball) | ASTM D36 | °C | 42 – 49 °C |
| Ductility at 25 °C | ASTM D113 | cm | ≥ 100 cm |
| Flash point (Cleveland open cup) | ASTM D92 | °C | ≥ 232 °C |
| Solubility in trichloroethylene | ASTM D2042 | % wt | ≥ 99.0 % wt |
| After thin-film oven test (TFOT) | |||
| Loss on heating | ASTM D1754 | % wt | ≤ 1.0 % wt |
| Retained penetration | ASTM D5 | % of original | ≥ 47 % of original |
| Ductility at 25 °C | ASTM D113 | cm | ≥ 75 cm |
Viscosity grade VG-30 · Reference: ASTM D3381 / IS 73
| Property | Test method | Unit | Typical value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Absolute viscosity at 60 °C | ASTM D2171 | poise | 2,400 – 3,600 poise |
| Kinematic viscosity at 135 °C | ASTM D2170 | cSt | ≥ 350 cSt |
| Penetration at 25 °C, 100 g, 5 s | ASTM D5 | 0.1 mm | 50 – 70 0.1 mm |
| Softening point (ring and ball) | ASTM D36 | °C | ≥ 47 °C |
| Flash point (Cleveland open cup) | ASTM D92 | °C | ≥ 220 °C |
| Solubility in trichloroethylene | ASTM D2042 | % wt | ≥ 99.0 % wt |
| After thin-film oven test (TFOT) | |||
| Viscosity ratio at 60 °C | ASTM D2171 | – | ≤ 4.0 |
| Ductility at 25 °C | ASTM D113 | cm | ≥ 40 cm |
Viscosity grade VG-40 · Reference: ASTM D3381 / IS 73
| Property | Test method | Unit | Typical value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Absolute viscosity at 60 °C | ASTM D2171 | poise | 3,200 – 4,800 poise |
| Kinematic viscosity at 135 °C | ASTM D2170 | cSt | ≥ 400 cSt |
| Penetration at 25 °C, 100 g, 5 s | ASTM D5 | 0.1 mm | 40 – 60 0.1 mm |
| Softening point (ring and ball) | ASTM D36 | °C | ≥ 50 °C |
| Flash point (Cleveland open cup) | ASTM D92 | °C | ≥ 220 °C |
| Solubility in trichloroethylene | ASTM D2042 | % wt | ≥ 99.0 % wt |
| After thin-film oven test (TFOT) | |||
| Viscosity ratio at 60 °C | ASTM D2171 | – | ≤ 4.0 |
| Ductility at 25 °C | ASTM D113 | cm | ≥ 25 cm |
Oxidised (blown) bitumen 85/25 and 115/15 · Reference: Supplier specification
| Property | Test method | Unit | Typical value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 85/25: softening point | ASTM D36 | °C | 80 – 90 °C |
| 85/25: penetration at 25 °C | ASTM D5 | 0.1 mm | 20 – 30 0.1 mm |
| 115/15: softening point | ASTM D36 | °C | 110 – 120 °C |
| 115/15: penetration at 25 °C | ASTM D5 | 0.1 mm | 10 – 20 0.1 mm |
| Flash point (Cleveland open cup) | ASTM D92 | °C | ≥ 250 °C |
| Solubility in trichloroethylene | ASTM D2042 | % wt | ≥ 99.0 % wt |
Values shown are typical reference specifications based on the standards listed. The final specification and acceptance criteria are agreed for each transaction and verified against the certificate of analysis for the cargo. EN 12591 grades such as 50/70 can be sourced on request.
APPLICATIONS
Where Each Grade Is Used
The right grade depends on climate, traffic and the job. These are the usual matches; the final grade follows the project specification.
Road Construction
Hot-mix asphalt for highways, urban roads and resurfacing, the main use of paving-grade bitumen.
60/70VG-30Hot Climates and Heavy Traffic
Harder grades resist rutting under high summer temperatures and heavy axle loads, common across the Gulf.
40/50VG-40Cooler Regions
Softer grades stay flexible at lower temperatures, reducing cracking in mountain and northern climates.
85/100Waterproofing and Roofing
Oxidised grades for roofing membranes, damp-proofing, basements, bridges and tank foundations.
85/25115/15Airports and Industrial Paving
Runways, aprons, ports and container yards that need a stiff, durable binder.
40/50VG-40Pipe Coating and Industrial Uses
Corrosion protection for steel pipes, sealing compounds, insulation and paint manufacture.
Oxidised
PACKAGING AND LOADING
Packed and Shipped to Suit Your Project
Choose the packing that fits your handling equipment at destination, and the route that fits your market.
New Steel Drums
Sealed new drums, easy to store and move without heated equipment. Suited to smaller projects and overland trucking.
Bitumen Bags
Polypropylene bags with an inner liner, lighter than drums per tonne. Handled by forklift at destination.
Jumbo Bags
One-tonne bags for larger orders, reducing packing cost and handling time.
Heated Tankers or Vessels
Loaded hot into insulated road tankers or bulk vessels, for buyers with heated storage at the receiving end.
Export routes
By sea
Umm Qasr and Khor Al-Zubair
Drummed and bagged bitumen in containers or break bulk, on FOB, CFR or CIF terms, subject to the agreed loading port.
Overland to Jordan
Through Trebil to Aqaba
Trucked drums and bags for Jordan, or onward shipping from Aqaba on the Red Sea, on FCA, CPT or DAP terms.
Overland to Turkey
Through Ibrahim Khalil
Trucked to Mersin or İzmir for shipping onward, or delivered by road to Turkish buyers, on FCA, CPT or DAP terms.
Routes, loading arrangements and delivery terms are confirmed for each enquiry according to grade, shipment size and destination.
QUALITY
Independent Inspection
Independent inspection is arranged at loading through companies such as SGS, Intertek or Bureau Veritas, as set out in the contract.
- Sampling at loadingSamples are drawn from the tanks, drums or bags being loaded.
- Laboratory testingTested against the specification agreed in the contract.
- Certificates issuedQuality and quantity certificates are issued before the documents are released.
DOCUMENTS
Export Documentation
Documents are arranged according to the contract, shipment method and destination.
- Certificate of analysis
- Certificates of quality and quantity
- Certificate of origin
- Bill of lading or CMR
- Commercial invoice and packing list
HOW SOURCING WORKS
From Enquiry to Shipment
Send Your Requirement
Grade, quantity, packing and destination.
We Check Supply
Availability and specification are confirmed with qualified Iraqi suppliers.
Offer and Contract
Terms are agreed and the contract is signed with the supplier.
Inspection and Shipment
Independent inspection at loading, then shipment as agreed.
FAQ
Bitumen Questions
What is the difference between penetration and viscosity grades?
Penetration grades (for example 60/70) classify bitumen by how far a standard needle sinks into it at 25 °C: a lower number means a harder bitumen. Viscosity grades (for example VG-30) classify it by its viscosity at 60 °C, which relates more closely to road performance in hot weather. The two systems overlap but are not exact equivalents: 60/70 is broadly comparable to VG-30, and 40/50 to VG-40.
Which grade suits a hot climate?
For high summer temperatures and heavy traffic, harder grades such as 40/50 or VG-40 resist rutting better. 60/70 and VG-30 are the most widely used general-purpose paving grades. Your project specification or road authority normally sets the grade.
Can you supply polymer-modified bitumen, emulsions or cutbacks?
Some Iraqi producers make polymer-modified bitumen (PMB), and emulsions and cutbacks can be arranged for specific projects. Send us the specification and we will confirm availability with suppliers for your enquiry.
How is quality checked?
Each grade is stated in the contract and confirmed by a certificate of analysis for the cargo. Independent inspection of quality and quantity is arranged at loading through companies such as SGS, Intertek or Bureau Veritas, as set out in the contract.
What is the minimum order?
Minimum quantities depend on the grade, packing, supplier availability and shipping arrangements. Drummed and bagged bitumen is usually ordered by the container or truck load, and bulk supply is agreed per contract. Tell us your quantity and we will confirm what is practical.
How long can drummed bitumen be stored?
Bitumen in sealed drums keeps well for long periods when stored upright, sealed and out of direct heat. Bagged bitumen should be kept covered and away from direct sun.
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